I started work here eight years ago this past week. With the exception of Phil Enge and Diana Blair, all of our present staff have come to work here during the past eight years. At least 65 percent of our membership has joined this congregation during the eight year period. The surrounding area has grown so much during this time that someone from here who has been absent for the last decade wouldn't even recognize it as the same community. I had the same experience two weekends ago in Pittsburgh. What had been miles of open country, a few years ago, is now miles of shopping centers and new housing developments.
Many years ago after Priscilla and I were married, I took her on a trip to Pennsylvania to show her where I had been born and raised. I wanted to show her places I had lived, attended school and worked. Several of the homes I had lived in were not there. Of all the schools I attended, only the high school remained. My grade school was now the site of a McDonald's restaurant. I wanted to show her the Amish farms in Lancaster. Most of them were now strip malls covered with asphalt. The Amish, who once lived there, had moved to Canada. Two weeks ago a middle aged woman came up to me after worship. She greeted me and said, "Do you remember visiting me when my son was born and later baptizing him?" Before I could say "No!" she went on to say, "He is a chemical engineer, married and has his own son." How rapidly things change.
The 12 disciples of Jesus were from small towns. Jerusalem was a little overwhelming for them. The Temple was built on 35 acres. That's four and one half times larger than our entire church property. Many of the stones in the Temple were larger than most of the offices in our church building. It was a most impressive edifice and one people thought would last forever. I am certain it startled His disciples when Jesus told them, "Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." His prophecy came true less than 40 years later when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 40 C.E. While many things in our world have existed a very long time, none of them will last forever.
The 13th chapter of Mark continues in what has come to be called the Synoptic Apocalypse. Apocalyptic literature is one form of writing found in the Scriptures. The word "apocalypse" means revelation. Its best known example is the final book of the bible, The Revelation to John. This style of writing is highly symbolic and is written to provide encouragement during times of trial. Simply stated its message is this: While everything around you will disappear or be destroyed, God's love for your will never fail and the faithful ones will prevail. Since no one knows when tragedy or disaster will occur one has to be prepared and ready at every moment. This does not mean living in a state of high anxiety nor does it mean living in apathy. It means living in the certainty of God's love for you best made known or revealed in Jesus Christ. Theologian John Newman wrote in 1843, "On the whole, then, this may be considered the Christians state, ever about to fall, yet by God's grace not falling; every dying, yet remaining alive; full of infirmities, yet free from serious transgression." I think he means we live close to the edge with a promise from God that we will not fall off and just die.
Living on the edge is where much of the world and a large part of the Church seem to be. We once again find ourselves in a war that many people believe cannot be won. Increasing numbers of people are declaring bankruptcy. Nearly half of all marriages in America end in divorce. Our denomination as well as several others appears to be hopelessly divided on issues of human sexuality and on who Jesus really is. Many people live in fear and anxiety while others attempt to hide from the problem. This is not a new situation for the people of this world.
The people of the first century Christian Church suffered great persecution. Life for many of them was not nearly as easy as most of us enjoy. Many of them were tempted to abandon their faith either by returning to Judaism or just lapsing. Today we see large numbers of Christians in the United States dropping out of the Church. Many others are settling for a version of Christianity one author calls, "Christ Lite." It's a watered down version of Christianity that does not pay much attention to the cost of discipleship. Many of its forms are really nothing more than Christian entertainment.
We need to read Hebrews as God's message for times such as ours. In Hebrews 10:14, it is stated "For by a single offering Christ has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." We need to be reminded of our being forgiven and not abuse that good news. In the light of all that may be wrong in our world and in our church we need to remember Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering." It's not the case that we are always faithful but it certainly is true that God is always faithful to us. In Philippians 1:6 we read, "The one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ."
We do not journey alone. Not only is God with us but so, too, are the true believers. We read in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Let us consider how to encourage one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day "of the Lord" approaching."
I would like to believe something good has begun in our midst. I pray you will not lose sight of the Kingdom of God and that you will persevere in the journey meeting with and encouraging one another to love and good works always remembering what God has done for you and continues to do for you in Christ Jesus.
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